New census director says he’s worried economy, tensions over immigration will hurt head count

Groves urges public campaign to boost 2010 census

WASHINGTON — The head of the Census Bureau says he’s worried the poor economy and tensions over immigration will deter people from participating in next year’s high-stakes count.

Robert Groves appeared before Congress on Tuesday for the first time since he was confirmed in July. He told a House panel it may be hard to find residents because of growing homelessness, foreclosures and people “doubling up” in single-family homes.

Groves said response rates to census surveys have been declining, and that public debate over immigration is creating added uncertainty.

The population figures, gathered every 10 years, are used to apportion House seats and distribute nearly $450 billion in federal aid.